Music

Choir

In our congregation, everyone is part of the choir! Pianist Ken Elias is our Music Director. If you are interested in music, contact Ken Elias at phone: (559) 561-0610.

Our Hymnal

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We regularly use the Unitarian Universalist hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition. (Popular music from a variety of other sources is also often featured.) Our hymnal contains many familiar songs and hymns, but the language has typically been modified to be inclusive to all persons. To safeguard our belief in salvation for all people – regardless of gender or race – traditional language that is exclusively masculine or racist has been replaced, so the lyrics are gender-neutral and embrace all colors. When traditional hymns are used, references to the Trinity and hell-fire have been removed.

Our Hymnal also contains new music which refers to the Divine in ways often more poetic than doctrinal, including feminine imagery and non-theistic expressions of spirituality. “Spirit of Love,” “Life of Ages,” “Life of Life” – phrases such as these evoke a lively view of the great Mystery and help us to keep idolatry at bay.

Further, by incorporating songs and styles of various cultures and diverse faith traditions, including jazz, folk, pop, spirituals, chants, and rounds, as well as traditional religious hymns, our hymnbook celebrates our religious sensibility and appreciation for the diversity of our world.

The hymnal is organized according to our faith’s no deposit bonus codesSeven Principles and our Six Sources, ?includes 415 hymns and songs and 317 readings of spiritual inspiration. Music and texts from six continents are here; words from the world’s sacred writings, words and deeds of prophetic women and men, and humanist teachings. By purpose and effect, it offers a good understanding of what Unitarian Universalism is about, and its possibilities for spiritual growth.

Additionally, the Unitarian Universalist Association recently published a new hymnal supplement,Singing the Journey (2005), which reflects the continuing evolution of Unitarian Universalism, a religious tradition “united by faith and not divided by beliefs.”

Opening Song

Come, come, whoever you are,Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.Ours is not caravan of despair,Come, yet again come.

Song of Praise

From all that dwell below the skiesLet songs of hope and faith arise;Let peace, good will on earth be sungThrough every land, by every tongue

(Tune: “The Doxology”: #381 in the UU hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition)

Singing the Children to their Classes

Go Now in Peace, go now in PeaceMay the Spirit of Love surround youEverywhere, EverywhereYou may go.

Closing Hymn and Circle – Go From Here in Peace

(To the tune of Kum Bay Yah)

Go from here in Peace, Go in LoveGo from here in Peace, Go in LoveGo from here in Peace, Go in LoveIn Love, Go in Peace

Call for Musicians

We are looking for vocalists, guitar and keyboard accompaniment, percussion, and bell ringing to help make our Sunday services even better! Please let us know if you would like to share your musical talents with us!